Favourite Steel per Category?

[XtianAus]

What's your favourite?

Carbon steel: (For me) 3V
Stainless: Magnacut or LC200N
Budget: 14c28n
One steel for life: because I am not great at sharpening, probably 14c28n

 

[kobold]

I am with you, except maybe CruWear as one steel for life.

 

[Delgadonine]

Dude! I'm only 46 years into my knife addiction, stop rushing me in picking something or another!



[Budget: Buck's]
[Stainless: Buck's Magnacut]

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Favorites

Category: All
Steel: Too Many to list, some might say All.

 

[abcdef]

1095
440c
440c
440c

 

[navman]

Carbon: 10V
Stainless: S90V
Budget: AEBL
Steel for life: ....TBD

 

[Larrin]

 

[navman]

I am waiting for MagnaMax, it may replace S90V as my favorite Stainless.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

I am waiting for MagnaMax, it may replace S90V as my favorite Stainless.

I'm looking forward to it too....It might be a lot of Fun!

 

[Alberta Ed]

Carbon: 1905 Cro Van, a.k.a. Carbon V, 52100; Stainless: Magnacut and any Sandvik steel; Tool Steel: M4 and 3V.

 

[Delgadonine]

'Let's add some happy little trees' [Paints]-Bob Ross.

'Let's add some happy little charts' [Publishes]-Larrin.

 

[oldmanwilly]

What he said, with the following caveats:

1. I have not yet used ProCut or Magnamax but look forward to trying them; and
2. I also like 15N20, 52100, and 3V.

If I could only choose 1 for life, it would be a hard choice between AEB-L and Cruwear.

 

[JWright214]

CARBON STEEL
Favorite (edge retention): k390
Favorite (toughness): 3v
Favorite (balanced): cru-wear
Favorite (budget): 80crv2
Favorite (good enough): 1095 (ESEE, Becker)
1 for Life: cru-wear
Runner up 1 for life: 3v

STAINLESS STEEL
Favorite (edge retention): s30v
Favorite (toughness): aeb-l
Favorite (balanced): magnacut
Favorite (budget): nitro-v
Favorite (good enough): 420hc (Buck)
1 for Life: magnacut
Runner up 1 for life: s35vn

1 FOR LIFE
Favorite (edge retention): k390
Favorite (toughness): aeb-l
Favorite (balanced): cru-wear
Favorite (budget): nitro-v
Favorite (good enough): 1095 (ESEE/Becker)

OVERALL WINNERS
1st Place Stainless Steel: Magnacut
1st Place Carbon Steel: Cru-wear
1st Place Budget Steel: Nitro-V
Honorable Mention: s35vn

Edit to say that I think Magnacut is 100% the best balanced steel out right now. But, I think dollar for dollar s35vn is the best lower cost alternative for a balanced steel. So many companies are charging a premium for Magnacut and I personally don’t think the price difference is worth it for my uses. But, this seems to be leveling out a bit and trending in favor of the consumer.

 

[fielder]

I love Aeb-l, it's affordable, tough, easy to sharpen and holds an acceptable edge. So, filling various categories. My preferred one steel for life.
I also like 14c28n and Nitro v in that category.
More stainless I like Magnacut and LC200N.
Non stainless I like 3v and Infi.

 

[AntDog]

Carbon: INFI, 52100, A2, M4, 3V
Stainless: M390, Elmax, S30V
Budget: 14c28n, AEBL

I have something from every category either on me or within easy reach.

 

[norcalAF]

I love AEB-L because David Mary

 

[katguy]

I really like Japanese AUS8 and the Chinese version (8Cr13Mov) when they are well done by companies such as SpyderCo and Civivi. They are tougher than Mangacut, easy to sharpen and are mostly stainless. Under-rated steels IMO and often referred to as trash/garbage.

It's a great EDC steel. Cheap, stainless and tough.

 

[DeadboxHero]

CPM 15V: I'm not biased at all.

 

[SharpBits]

If I could only choose 1 for life, it would be a hard choice between AEB-L and Cruwear.

Agreed!


Also, so many correct answers!

 

[Mk-211]

"when they are well done by companies such as SpyderCo and Civivi."

When companies have strict quality control, reject any steel, that doesn't meet the standards of the contract...

FIFY